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Biodiversity (biological diversity) is the rich variety of life on Earth, including animals, plants, fungi and bacteria. Scientists often measure biodiversity as the number of species in an area, but it is also the diversity of genes within species and the diversity of ecosystems (such as coral reefs, forests, prairies, wetlands) on the planet. Scientists have identified about 1.7 million species, but estimate that there may be as many as 100 million species on Earth.1 Many species-rich ecosystems, including tropical forests, coral reefs, and the deep ocean, have barely been explored. The vast majority of biodiversity awaits discovery. Species and ecosystems provide essential goods and services upon which human well-being depends. Activities of species in ecosystems provide ecosystem services that are our natural life-support systems. Bacteria, algae and plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and replenish it with oxygen. Forests for example are particularly important ‘sinks’ for carbon dioxide and so are key factors in reducing global climate change.2, 3 Wetlands and the plants, animals and microorganisms in them, act as sponges to reduce the impacts of floods and the cleanse streams by filtering sediments, nutrients and contaminants from inflowing waters.2 Natural enemies (predators and parasites) of disease carrying organisms (such as ticks and mosquitoes) control diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, Lyme disease, Argentine hemorrhagic fever, hantavirus and cholera.4 Natural enemies of agricultural pests provide a pest control service in America valued at $54 billion a year.2 Insects pollinate crops worth $6-12 billion a year in the USA alone.2 Biodiversity also provides goods that humans need such as food, fuel, fiber and medicines. These support economies including agriculture, fisheries, forestry and industry. More than 7,000 species of plants around the world are cultivated or are harvested from the wild for food.5 Fish and other animal species from the sea account for 20% of the total animal protein consumed annually, at a value of $50 – 100 billion.2 Wild relatives of crop species often have high resistance to pests, disease and harsh conditions. Breeders use their genes to strengthen crops such as rice, potatoes, wheat and tomatoes.6 Scientists also use genes from wild relatives of crops to improve their nutritional quality, for example increasing protein content of wheat, vitamin C in tomatoes and levels of anti-cancer compounds in broccoli.6 118 of the top 150 prescription drugs in America contain chemicals derived from plants, fungi and other species.4 Biodiversity also provides natural beauty and wild places that are the inspiration for spirituality and art and provide opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The rapid expansion of human populations and consumption in recent decades has placed enormous stresses on natural ecosystems and species within them. Loss of and damage to habitats, over-harvesting, and introduction of non-native species to new areas are major causes of species extinction and endangerment. Scientists estimate that species extinctions are occurring 100 to 1,000 times faster than without human influence. They predict that 10 to 20 percent of Earth’s species will be driven to extinction within the next 20 to 50 years.1, 3 Many will be lost before they are even discovered. We are experiencing the sixth mass extinction event in the history of life on Earth – and the only one that is humancaused. Almost all rainforests may be gone by 2050,1 lost to deforestation for timber, mining, road-building and human settlements 60 percent of the world’s coral reefs are threatened by human activities such as fisheries, tourism, mining and oil exploration, sedimentation, pollution and disease.7 60 percent of the world’s fisheries are over-exploited or nearing their limit of exploitation.8 Even historically abundant fish such as cod, haddock, redfish and yellowtail flounder, have been so severely over-fished that current levels are the lowest on record. In almost every kind of fishery, non-target marine life is also captured and killed such as dolphins, seals, and turtles. Populations of insects that pollinate crops are declining through loss of habitat and use of pesticides. Honeybee colonies in the US have fallen 25 percent since 1990.9 Soils and the nutrient recycling biodiversity they contain, are being depleted faster than their ability to renew themselves, due to pollution and poor soil management.2 Wild relatives of crops are at risk from habitat degradation and loss.5, 6 Between 1996 and 2000 the number of critically endangered primates increased from 13 to 19, threatened albatrosses increased from 3 to 16, critically endangered freshwater turtles increased from 10 to 24.10 The year 2000 saw the first loss of a primate species from the face of the planet in 100 years, when Miss Waldron’s Red Colobus Monkey was declared extinct.11 Although the biodiversity crisis is real, devastation is not inevitable. By acting quickly and wisely we can stem the loss of biodiversity. Scientists, policymakers and the public can work together to live sustainably, so that we can benefit from biodiversity and also conserve it for the future. • Studying species around the world, their habitats and interactions with humans, to learn about biodiversity, how it is changing and how we can conserve it. • Making their findings available to policymakers, to inform decisions such as the U.S. Endangered Species Act, which uses the best available scientific information on the species situation in the wild to decide whether it should be listed for protection. • Making their findings available to members of the public to help people make informed decisions. Initiatives such as the International Biodiversity Observation Year (IBOY) 2001-2002, directed from Colorado State University, are helping scientists communicate their findings. More information on scientific biodiversity research and outreach taking place during the IBOY can be found on the handout on IBOY projects and at http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/IBOY/projects.html More information on scientific biodiversity research from Colorado State University’s Natural Research Ecology Laboratory can be found in the booths at the Denver Museum of Science and Nature and at http://www.nrel.colostate.edu Be informed, be aware and make informed decisions Find out: • • • What biodiversity is and why it is important for you, your family and the things that you value The effect your actions have on biodiversity What you can do to help conserve biodiversity To learn more about biodiversity and why it is important, we recommend: Book – Biodiversity , by Edward O. Wilson. 1988. National Academy Press. Journal – National Geographic Website – Union of Concerned Scientists’ Frequently Asked Questions About Biodiversity http://www.ucsusa.org/environment/biodiv.faq.html To learn about the effects you actions have on biodiversity, we recommend: For information on things to be aware of when buying fish in the store or restaurant and the most environmentally friendly choices, visit SeaWeb’s http://www.seafoodchoices.com/seasense/ See how your elected officials vote on biodiversity issues at the League of Conservation Voters Website http://www.lcv.org/index.html Check out The Consumers Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists, by Michael Brower and Leon Warren. 1999. Three Rivers Press. To help conserve biodiversity: Do: 9 Join local, state, national and even international natural history societies, museums and botanic gardens, and conservation organizations. Contact information for some of these is given in Biodiversity Resources for Adults and Biodiversity Resources for Kids. 9 Become informed about legislation that affects the world’s biodiversity and share your concerns with your elected representatives 9 Plant for wildlife and pollinators in your garden and avoid herbicides and pesticides 9 Shop smart/shop green 9 Buy US (where species protection laws are stronger than some other countries) 9 Avoid buying from countries with bad wildlife conservation policies 9 Avoid rare or rainforest woods (e.g. mahogany, teak, balsa) 9 Buy green products or environmentally certified products (e.g. organic, unbleached recycled, minimum dyed) 9 Use less to reduce your consumption (gas mileage, electricity, etc). 9 Take care of your belongings so they won’t have to be replaced as often 9 Reuse and recycle 9 Drive slowly and attentively in wildlife areas Don’t: Buy imported exotic and invasive species, for your garden or for pets Release non-native species into the wild, e.g. bait fish, plants Wait for other people to act first References 1. Nature and Human Society: The Quest for a Sustainable World. Edited by Peter H. Raven. 2000. National Academy Press. 2. Nature’s Services: Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems. Edited by Gretchen C. Daily. 1997. Island Press 3. Frequently Asked Questions About Biodiversity. http://www.ucsusa.org/environment/biodiv.faq.html 4. Eric Chivian. 2001. Environment and Health: 7. Species Loss and Ecosystem Disruption – the Implications for Human Health, by Eric Chivian. 2001. Canadian Medical Association Journal 164: 66-69. 5. Personal Communication, Dr. Stefano Padulosi, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Italy. 6. Personal Communication, Dr. Vernon Heywood, University of Reading, UK 7. Coral Reefs: Critical Biodiversity and Fisheries Resources http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR/coralhome.html 8. Peter M. Vitousek, Harold A. Mooney, Jane Lubchenco, Jerry M. Melillo. 1997. Human Domination of Earth’s Ecosystems. Science 277: 494-499. 9. The Essential Reasons to Protect the Birds and the Bees. http://www.desertmuseum.org/conservation/fp/ten_reasons.html 10. The IUCN Red List 2000. http://iucn.org/redlist/2000/index.html 11. Alison Jolley. 1999. Monkeys in the Back Garden. Science 291: 1705-1706. For more information, contact the IBOY Secretariat at Colorado State University Tel: (970) 491-1984 Website: http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/IBOY/index2.html